“IMWAN for all seasons.”



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1220 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 56  ( Next )
Author Message
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:59 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
Four Color comics were published by Dell Publishing Company from 1939 to 1962. It was an
anthology series that featured a wide range of Comic/Cartoon, Western, and TV and Movie
characters, often with very unusual publishing frequently and numbering. For now, I'm interested in
collecting just Series II, which started in 1942, and ran for about 1321 issues (this is a quick count
on my part; Dell missed printing some issue numbers). Many of these issues do not have the
words "Four Color" anywhere on them. Instead they are labeled in their indicias, for example, as
"Ben Bowie and his Mountain Men #657." This makes them a little hard to identify. But, it's a pretty
safe bet that if you see a Dell comic numbered higher than 200 or 300, it's a Four Color issue. On
the first page of the comic, they are usually labeled again in a lower panel with an abreviation like
"M.Men O.S. #657-5511." The "O.S." refers to "One Shot."

Collecting over 1300 comics to complete a single set is a daunting undertaking, especially since
many of these comics are over 60 years old, combined with the fact that many people are
interested (very I-don't-care-how-much-it-costs interested) in collecting just the issues from a
particular run, like "Bonanza." This Four Color series has hundreds of "first issues," making it
extremely expensive to collect. So, the trick is to find the issues in lot sales, or from a dealers
who has a bunch of unrelated issues that no one in their area wants. eBay, in this case, is not
always a great resource, since it makes it too easy to put buyer and seller together.

Site with my Current Inventory: http://homepage.mac.com/jjbeach/4color/index.html

I have close to a third of them, and have been buying about 20 or 30 a year. Apart from eBay,
which I check rather regularly, I have milked the various comic shops in my area. I thought
some of you might have issues, or have Comic Shops in your area that have some for cheap.

I'd appreciate help, especially if you are the type who likes to hunt for such things and would like
to collect them vicariously through me. :-D

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Last edited by Beachy on Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:21 am, edited 4 times in total.

Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:00 pm 
User avatar
Biker Librarian

Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Posts: 25164
Location: On the highway, looking for adventure
I have one of two of them myself, but I think I'll keep them, thanks. Good luck on your collecting. Having about a third of them already is something I can only dream about!

_________________
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls who, when he found an especially costly one, sold everything he had to buy it.


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:05 pm 
User avatar
Champion of Everything

Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 13983
Location: On Patrol
http://www.atomicavenue.com/atomic/Titl ... tleID=1182

There are some listed here if you check through enough. Not sure your price range but for instance someone is listing #1328 For $9.50


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:07 pm 
User avatar
Champion of Everything

Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 13983
Location: On Patrol
http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?tid=190901&pgi=851

has a lot of Goods under 10-I was looking in the 800's here


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:23 pm 
User avatar
Is it Friday yet?

Joined: 26 Dec 2006
Posts: 9258
Location: Over the hills and far away
Bannings: Twice in one day
I don't have any myself, but I'll check my shop the next time I'm in there. Probably Saturday.


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:56 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
Mahoney wrote:
http://www.atomicavenue.com/atomic/Titl ... tleID=1182

There are some listed here if you check through enough. Not sure your price range but for instance someone is listing #1328 For $9.50

That was an interesting site. They spent a lot of space listing comics that they didn't have. :lol:
But, from the looks of things, it's there as place holders for when and if they stumble across some.

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:57 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
That meddlin kid wrote:
I have one of two of them myself, but I think I'll keep them, thanks. Good luck on your collecting. Having about a third of them already is something I can only dream about!

Fair enough. I'm curious which ones you have, though. I don't know many comic collectors who have ANY.

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:05 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
Mahoney wrote:
http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?tid=190901&pgi=851

has a lot of Goods under 10-I was looking in the 800's here

Thanks, Mahoney. I've looked over their stuff before, but I think I'll have to be a lot closer to
completing this collection before I start buying individual issues from a store like this. It's still
too easy to buy sets and lots of assorted Four Colors for bulk rates yet.

Once I know of places that have them in quantity, I can generally cut a deal with them when
they know I'll take a large amount off their hands.

I see a guy online is trying to sell 418 of them for $5000. That's close to $12 apiece, which is
more than I want to pay, but not too outrageous for what the ones that he has, and their condition.

The sweet thing about his set is how nicely it would match up with mine. Plus, the duplicates
that I see in his set are the ones that are the more spendy ones. I could probably do well in
their individual resale, or I might be able to get him to keep those.

I'd probably jump at it if he would take $4000. Sheesh. It scares me to say things like that,
because I probably would, and that's a ton of money.

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:08 pm 
User avatar
Homicidal pumpkin fan

Joined: 26 Dec 2006
Posts: 1250
Location: California
Beachy wrote:
Mahoney wrote:
http://www.atomicavenue.com/atomic/Titl ... tleID=1182

There are some listed here if you check through enough. Not sure your price range but for instance someone is listing #1328 For $9.50

That was an interesting site. They spent a lot of space listing comics that they didn't have. :lol:
But, from the looks of things, it's there as place holders for when and if they stumble across some.

Atomic Avenue isn't a store, it's a venue, like eBay. It's affiliated with the ComicBase comic book database program, so it lists everything ComicBase does.

Good luck with the Dell Four Colors - that's got to be a tough item to complete.


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:08 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
Ron Zoso wrote:
I don't have any myself, but I'll check my shop the next time I'm in there. Probably Saturday.


Thanks, Ron. Unless they normally carry Golden Age materials, I wouldn't expect you to be able
to find them. But, if they do, they may be like the shops here in Minnesota—desperate to get rid
of their old stuff because they have very little chance of selling it anymore in their stores.

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:09 pm 
User avatar
How does

Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 20170
Location: Keystone City
Bannings: fear taste?
I probably have 20 or so, but I'd have to hunt what box I hid them in. I got mine from my aunt, after she graduated high school. Although, at least for now, I'd be more likely to sit down and do a marathon reading cycle.

Dangerous

_________________
"I'm right 97% of the time. Who cares about the other 4%?"


Last edited by Mark on Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:10 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
Jeff Albertson wrote:
Beachy wrote:
Mahoney wrote:
http://www.atomicavenue.com/atomic/Titl ... tleID=1182

There are some listed here if you check through enough. Not sure your price range but for instance someone is listing #1328 For $9.50

That was an interesting site. They spent a lot of space listing comics that they didn't have. :lol:
But, from the looks of things, it's there as place holders for when and if they stumble across some.

Atomic Avenue isn't a store, it's a venue, like eBay. It's affiliated with the ComicBase comic book database program, so it lists everything ComicBase does.

Good luck with the Dell Four Colors - that's got to be a tough item to complete.

Ah, thanks, Jeff. I saw that Comicbase link at the bottom, but thought they were just using it
as their rough guide. Interesting. Thanks. And thanks again, Mahoney. I wasn't aware of this
place.

-----(EDITED)-----
I just started an account. Looks too pricy for my tastes, but it's fun to look through.
I like the challenge of trying to complete a set like this, Jeff. Plus, apart from the Disney books, and maybe a few of
the well-known cartoons or TV shows, almost none of this has been—over ever will be—reprinted.

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Last edited by Beachy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:42 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
I see at Atomic Avenue that they say their Four Color list was donated by Maggie Thompson.
I'm pretty sure that my Dad traded comics with her when she and her husband Don where just getting started in Sci Fi Fanzines.
Some of the zines that he got from them had Don and Maggie list the Dell Four Color issues that they still needed. I suspect he
may have given them some comics in exchange for issues of their fanzine. But Dad also donated cover art and articles, so maybe
they "paid" him that way in subscription copies.

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:47 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
Mark wrote:
I probably have 20 or so, but I'd have to hunt what box I hid them in. I got mine from my aunt, after she graduated high school. Although, at least for now, I'd be more likely to sit down and do a marathon reading cycle.

Dangerous


Let me know if you ever decide to sell them or are interested in trading for something else.
One interesting thing about Four Color is that they can be pretty hit and miss. Some are very bad, while some of them
are surprising excellent. Even stuff that I "shouldn't" be interested in, the "The Lennon Sisters," has Alex Toth artwork
in it, or a nice painted cover, and they can be quite lovely.

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:02 pm 
User avatar
Champion of Everything

Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 13983
Location: On Patrol
Beachy wrote:
Jeff Albertson wrote:
Beachy wrote:
Mahoney wrote:
http://www.atomicavenue.com/atomic/Titl ... tleID=1182

There are some listed here if you check through enough. Not sure your price range but for instance someone is listing #1328 For $9.50

That was an interesting site. They spent a lot of space listing comics that they didn't have. :lol:
But, from the looks of things, it's there as place holders for when and if they stumble across some.

Atomic Avenue isn't a store, it's a venue, like eBay. It's affiliated with the ComicBase comic book database program, so it lists everything ComicBase does.

Good luck with the Dell Four Colors - that's got to be a tough item to complete.

Ah, thanks, Jeff. I saw that Comicbase link at the bottom, but thought they were just using it
as their rough guide. Interesting. Thanks. And thanks again, Mahoney. I wasn't aware of this
place.

-----(EDITED)-----
I just started an account. Looks too pricy for my tastes, but it's fun to look through.
I like the challenge of trying to complete a set like this, Jeff. Plus, apart from the Disney books, and maybe a few of
the well-known cartoons or TV shows, almost none of this has been—over ever will be—reprinted.

They are looking to move to selling Lots. (probably this fall) So keep your eye out. Or I will let you know.

Its target seller is someone that is looking to sell their individual issues, but doesn't like that listings run out of time on ebay. You will occasional find good deals though its not the easiest to navigate.

As a collecter, I love their software. Though it makes me more aware of the issues I dont own.


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:13 pm 
User avatar
Is it Friday yet?

Joined: 26 Dec 2006
Posts: 9258
Location: Over the hills and far away
Bannings: Twice in one day
Beachy wrote:
Ron Zoso wrote:
I don't have any myself, but I'll check my shop the next time I'm in there. Probably Saturday.

Thanks, Ron. Unless they normally carry Golden Age materials, I wouldn't expect you to be able
to find them. But, if they do, they may be like the shops here in Minnesota—desperate to get rid
of their old stuff because they have very little chance of selling it anymore in their stores.

You never know with Alvin, the shop owner. He does buy collections fairly often, and I know he sells on ebay. Even if he doesn't have anything, I'll mention to him to keep an eye out for them. He knows I have an interest in old DC anthologies and The Brave and the Bold, he lets me know when he comes across any. Usually at really good prices. The last time he picked up a collection, he picked up a 25 issue run of DC's Weird Western and gave them to me. BATB issues, he sold them to me for 50 cents.


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:47 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
Ron Zoso wrote:
Beachy wrote:
Ron Zoso wrote:
I don't have any myself, but I'll check my shop the next time I'm in there. Probably Saturday.

Thanks, Ron. Unless they normally carry Golden Age materials, I wouldn't expect you to be able
to find them. But, if they do, they may be like the shops here in Minnesota—desperate to get rid
of their old stuff because they have very little chance of selling it anymore in their stores.

You never know with Alvin, the shop owner. He does buy collections fairly often, and I know he sells on ebay. Even if he doesn't have anything, I'll mention to him to keep an eye out for them. He knows I have an interest in old DC anthologies and The Brave and the Bold, he lets me know when he comes across any. Usually at really good prices. The last time he picked up a collection, he picked up a 25 issue run of DC's Weird Western and gave them to me. BATB issues, he sold them to me for 50 cents.

I like this Alvin guy already. :yay:

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:02 pm 
User avatar
Biker Librarian

Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Posts: 25164
Location: On the highway, looking for adventure
Beachy wrote:
That meddlin kid wrote:
I have one of two of them myself, but I think I'll keep them, thanks. Good luck on your collecting. Having about a third of them already is something I can only dream about!

Fair enough. I'm curious which ones you have, though. I don't know many comic collectors who have ANY.

Let's see...off the top of my head, I've got a Tarzan adaptation. I'd have to check to see what others I have.

Many of my all-time favorite comics are Dell/Gold Key titles.

_________________
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls who, when he found an especially costly one, sold everything he had to buy it.


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:52 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
Oooh, Tarzan. They only made two of those in Four Color before Dell spun it off as it's own separate title.

I am a big fan of a lot of Dell/Gold Key/Western books, especially
• Carl Barks work on Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck, Gyro Gearloose, etc.
• Zorro, especially by Toth.
• Walt Kelly's work on the Holiday stuff: Santa Clause Funnies, Fairy Tale Parade, Brownies, etc.
• the Movie adaptations, and the early ones that explored Space and the Space Program
• even the Woody Woodpeckers are quite well done.
• Turok appeared in a couple of Four Color books before getting his own title.

I want to like the Warner Brothers material, but the Dell versions of Bugs, Daffy, Elmer, etc. leave much to
be desired. Of all of them, the Porky Pig ones are quite well done, perhaps on par with or better than the
Porky cartoons. He is the lone exception.

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:56 pm 
User avatar
Mr. IMWANKO

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 73865
Location: the Moist Periphery of Pendulum Tide
Another fun series that appeared first in Four Color was "Brain Boy."
It sounds rather silly on the surface, but it was kind of X-Men mutantish before Stan Lee did it,
and the Mutant boy worked kind of for a SHIELD like organization. It spun off as its own title
for another five issues or so. They are quite well done.

_________________
Staging Areas
Approach Area
Area of a Triquetra
Area of Effect
Life Longing


Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:29 pm 
User avatar
Biker Librarian

Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Posts: 25164
Location: On the highway, looking for adventure
Beachy wrote:
Another fun series that appeared first in Four Color was "Brain Boy."
It sounds rather silly on the surface, but it was kind of X-Men mutantish before Stan Lee did it,
and the Mutant boy worked kind of for a SHIELD like organization. It spun off as its own title
for another five issues or so. They are quite well done.

I have an issue of the "Brain Boy" title. It was more serious in tone than most superhero comics of the time.

I've got an issue or two of Dell's "Super Heroes" title. Those off-Marvel, off-DC superhero titles of the 1960s are interesting curiosities, but most of them did not develop very far. They didn't quite have the vital spark that clicked with the better hero titles from the Big Two.

Another (quasi) superhero title I've seen is "M.A.R.S. Patrol," which reads just like a G.I. Joe comic done two decades early. And that awful "Jet Dream" one-shot. Great cover, disastrous story.

_________________
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls who, when he found an especially costly one, sold everything he had to buy it.


Last edited by That meddlin kid on Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
  Profile  
 
 Post subject: Beachy's Quest for a Complete Dell Four Color Comics Set
PostPosted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:36 pm 
User avatar
Biker Librarian

Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Posts: 25164
Location: On the highway, looking for adventure
Beachy wrote:
Oooh, Tarzan. They only made two of those in Four Color before Dell spun it off as it's own separate title.

I am a big fan of a lot of Dell/Gold Key/Western books, especially
• Carl Barks work on Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck, Gyro Gearloose, etc.
• Zorro, especially by Toth.
• Walt Kelly's work on the Holiday stuff: Santa Clause Funnies, Fairy Tale Parade, Brownies, etc.
• the Movie adaptations, and the early ones that explored Space and the Space Program
• even the Woody Woodpeckers are quite well done.
• Turok appeared in a couple of Four Color books before getting his own title.

I want to like the Warner Brothers material, but the Dell versions of Bugs, Daffy, Elmer, etc. leave much to
be desired. Of all of them, the Porky Pig ones are quite well done, perhaps on par with or better than the
Porky cartoons. He is the lone exception.

I loved those Warner Brothers spinoff comics when I was little. The few examples I've seen since that time don't seem too impressive now, though.

The ghost story comics creeped me out good when I was a kid. And they had such fantastic painted covers! I've built up a modest collection of those titles.

The Carl Barks Disney work is one of the all time masterpieces of the comics medium, IMHO.

_________________
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls who, when he found an especially costly one, sold everything he had to buy it.


Top
  Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 56  ( Next )
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1220 posts ]   



Who is WANline

Users browsing this forum: Amazon [Bot], Apple [Bot] and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  


Powdered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited

IMWAN is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide
a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk.